Myanmar Spring Chronicle – September 05 Scenes
Published by MoeMaKa on September 06, 2023
Balancing Information Sources in the Digital Age: A Reflection on Myanmar’s Political Landscape
Recently, I came across a post on social media featuring a well-known figure’s commentary on the current political situation in Myanmar. The post served as a summary of analyses and viewpoints from various participants engaged in a discussion about Myanmar’s politics. What caught my attention was a comment underneath, questioning the reliability of the information being discussed and whether it could be trusted, given its online origin.
This particular point resonates with the modern era—the Internet age, characterized by an abundance of information technology. It serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment when assessing Myanmar’s political landscape.
On a daily basis, we encounter a myriad of criticisms, reviews, and assessments of Myanmar’s politics, military, humanitarian efforts, education, healthcare, and economy. These evaluations are presented in both the Myanmar and English languages and are disseminated through conventional news outlets, online newspapers, satellite television, and various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, VK, YouTube, and more. In addition to content shared by traditional media, numerous individuals, often not professional journalists, maintain channels where they post and share information. We live in an age where information is readily available for consumption, sharing, and discussion.
In essence, amidst this information deluge, it is imperative for policymakers, those tasked with providing succinct analyses and assessments to the public—essentially those who guide public opinion—to not solely rely on information from conventional and social media platforms. It is crucial to refrain from forming judgments and making decisions based solely on these sources. The aftermath of arrests, detentions, and killings by the coup military has led to a dwindling presence of individuals on the ground, including journalists, researchers, and civil society organizations, who interact with the public and gather firsthand information. Consequently, there is a growing reliance on individual statements and narratives found on social media platforms. This reliance poses a challenge to news agencies and research journalists in their quest for accurate information and reliable research material.
When decisions are made solely based on internet-sourced information without accurate analysis of the situation on the ground, they run the risk of deviating not only quantitatively but also qualitatively from the actual circumstances.
It becomes pertinent to question whether policymakers, those responsible for navigating Myanmar’s political landscape, have established their own information gathering mechanisms. If such mechanisms do not exist, and decisions are shaped primarily by content shared by influential individuals with large followings or posts that gain traction on social media, the potential repercussions are self-evident. Decisions rooted in inaccurate information can significantly impact realities on the ground.
Moreover, it is important to recognize that individuals who follow such leadership may eventually become disillusioned and disengage if their expectations remain unmet after years of unwavering support.
Instead of promoting political objectives and goals akin to marketing campaigns, the path to dismantling military dictatorship entails transparency. This means providing the public with a candid assessment of the practical obstacles that must be surmounted, conveying the actual state of affairs, and addressing rather than concealing and ignoring problems that require resolution. Effective leadership in the quest to remove military dictatorship demands honesty and a commitment to the people’s welfare.